Volkssport Association promotes The Sport of the People’

Monday

Mar 30, 2009 at 12:01 AMMar 30, 2009 at 5:00 PM

Betty Mazzotti initially balked at being part of the Railsplitter Wanderers Volkssport Association — a club that does self-paced fitness walks called “volksmarches” or “volkswalks” — because she refused to “pay to walk.”

Tamara Browning

Betty Mazzotti initially balked at being part of the Railsplitter Wanderers Volkssport Association — a club that does self-paced fitness walks called “volksmarches” or “volkswalks” — because she refused to “pay to walk.”

But curiosity and doctor’s orders got the best of her.

“I have emphysema. He kept saying, ‘Get out there and walk, and walk so you breathe deep,’” Mazzotti says.

That’s why she agreed to go with her friend to a Railsplitter Wanderers’ meeting to see what it was all about. And her attitude toward paying to walk changed.

Mazzotti signed up and paid her $10 dues at the meeting. That was 12 years ago, and since then being part of the club has improved her health, she says.

“I wasn’t going to pay to walk, but it has really helped my breathing — it really has to get out there and walk and breathe. So, needless to say, I quit smoking,” says Mazzotti, who is the club’s secretary.

Railsplitter Wanderers is a recreational association that promotes physical fitness through participation in volkssporting (walking, biking, swimming and skiing) events sanctioned by the American Volkssport Association (AVA), a member of the International Federation of Popular Sports (IVV).

“Our club pretty much always sponsored walks,” says Bruce VanderKolk, a club member.

“The interest of this particular group is pretty much walking. I think that’s pretty much true of most groups here in the United States — more interested in walking than they are in swimming or biking events.”

Called “The Sport of the People,” volkssporting/volksmarching began in Germany during the 1960s, according to Railsplitter Wanderers’ history. Military personnel stationed in Germany brought the sport to the United States. Illinois National Guard members formed the Railsplitter Wanderers Volkssport Association in the early 1980s at Camp Lincoln. Non-military walking enthusiasts bolstered the club’s membership.

The Railsplitter Wanderers participate in volkswalks through a scenic, historic or interesting area over a predetermined route. The walk is non-competitive and can be done individually, with a group or as a family.

Most walks are 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) or 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), but the AVA has authorized an option to do 5 kilometers (3.1 miles), VanderKolk says. Trails are rated for difficulty from one to five, with five the most difficult.

Railsplitter Wanderers is part of the AVA’s network of 320 walking clubs that organize more than 3,000 walking events and occasional bikes, skis and swims every year in all 50 states. All events – year-round and special event programs — are open to the public.

Railsplitter Wanderers sponsors four year-round walking events, meaning they can be walked any day: at Washington Park and in downtown Springfield, and in Carlinville and Bloomington-Normal. The club is sponsoring upcoming special event programs May 2 in Mount Carmel and Lawrenceville.

“You sign up to do those walks, and then you keep track of your walks through event books,” VanderKolk says. “You do not have to do this to do the walk, but if you want to get credit for it and get a stamp, there is a nominal charge of $3 a walk.”

Walkers who keep track can be recognized for the number of walking events they participate in, and for the distance they walk.

Mazzotti has walked all 50 states and 51 capitols. She’s walked in all but eight of Illinois’ 102 counties. She is working on 1,000 events and 12,000 kilometers.

“Part of this, too, is not just doing the walk, which is good physical exercise,” VanderKolk says. “It’s a good family event. It’s also socialization, establishing relationships with other people. Then you find out that people get to know each other, and they go together to other places for walks.”

Mazzotti, 78, has had her birthday celebrated during special walks that fell on that day.

Bruce VanderKolk, 64, walks with his wife, Donna, 62. He says age is immaterial, although children should walk with an adult.

Most 10ks can be walked in about two to three hours, but people walk at their own paces and may stop, visit and see sites along the way.

“Sometimes, it’s taken me four and five because there’ll be things, ‘Oh, I want to go see that. Take a picture of this over here.’ It’s according to whatever you want to do on the walk,” Mazzotti says.

“They always say, ‘I can’t do six miles.’ I say, ‘Well, can you go around the block a couple times?’ “ ‘Yeah.’ ‘Well, if you can do that, then you can do six. You just take your time, and you do it.”

VanderKolk agrees.

“Some people think they can’t do 10K … . They’d be surprised. It’s not that difficult. It doesn’t take long to build up to that,” VanderKolk says.

“I think that’s the biggest hindrance. People think they can’t to it.”

Tamara Browning can be reached at (217) 788-1534 or tamara.browning@sj-r.com.

Year-round Volkswalks

The Railsplitter Wanderers sponsor four year-round walking events. Participants must register at the start/finish point and obtain a start card. Walks are open to everyone and are free unless International Federation of Popular Sports (IVV) credit is desired. The cost for IVV credit is $3:

* Springfield-Washington Park. The 10K walk is around Washington Park and the town of Leland Grove. Registration point is at Schnucks Supermarket, 2801 Chatham Road (go to the desk and ask the attendant for the Volksmarch Box). In the box will be instructions for registration, directions to the start point and a trail map. Call Schnucks at (217) 698-2980 about the availability of walking on a holiday. The walk is closed Christmas Day.

* Springfield-Capitol. The 11K trail is over city streets and sidewalks, past the Lincoln Tomb, the Illinois Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Illinois State Capitol, Dana-Thomas House, the Lincoln Home and Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices. Registration point is at the Carpenter Street Hotel, 525 N. Sixth St.

* Carlinville. The 11K walk covers a great deal of Carlinville and passes through Blackburn College and the Sears, Roebuck Mail Order Homes section, plus other historic homes and churches. Registration point is at the Carlinville Area Hospital at Orient and Morgan streets. Go to the main entrance and ask for the box at the front desk (you’ll be directed to its location). The trail is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

* Bloomington-Normal. The 10K walk is on portions of the Constitution Trail, which goes through the city of Normal and Illinois State University. Registration point is at Denny’s at the intersection of U.S. 51 (1615 N. Main) and Raab Road in Normal. Ask the attendant for the Volksmarch Box. Call Denny’s at (309) 452-7446 to check the availability of walking on a major holiday.

WANT MORE INFO?
Railsplitter Wanderers Volkssport Association
Club meetings: 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of Feburary, May, August and November at Diamonds Buffet, 2441 S. MacArthur Blvd.
Contact bgvanderkolk@comcast.net for an information packet. Web site: www.railsplitterwanderers.org.

Walking benefits and tips

Cindy Kropid, fitness coordinator at the YMCA of Springfield, says walking is a low-impact physical activity that offers great health benefits, and is gentle on the joints. Walkers benefit from having lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, reduced diabetes risk and weight-loss management.

Kropid's walking tips:

* Wear walking shoes and clothing that are appropriate for weather conditions. A pedometer can help walkers track how many steps/miles they walk in a day. Using a heart monitor can help a walker reach his or her target heart rate.

* Assume the correct walking posture by keeping your head held high, focusing your eyes 20 feet ahead. Shoulders should move freely, and arms should swing naturally. Abdominal muscles should be tight and the pelvis should be tucked in. Feet should be parallel to each other, walking with a smooth movement. The foot should be rolled from heel to toe. Avoid pounding your heel on the ground.

* Start slowly if you're a beginner. Start with short daily sessions, such as 10 minutes each time, and slowly build up your endurance. Within a few weeks, you will be able to increase your time and frequency.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.